No Concrete Data Linking AQI to Lung Disease, Government Tells Parliament; Pollution Control Plans Outlined

New Delhi: Amid rising pollution in Delhi-NCR, the government informed Parliament that there is no conclusive evidence directly linking higher AQI levels to lung diseases. However, officials acknowledged that air pollution can exacerbate respiratory illnesses and related health issues.

The statement was made during the Winter Session of Parliament, in response to a question by BJP MP Laxmikant Vajpayee, who asked whether poor air quality is reducing lung capacity and causing serious conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, as reported in various studies. He also inquired about measures being taken to protect the population from such diseases.

Government Response
The Environment Ministry clarified that no definitive data exists to prove that deaths are solely due to air pollution. Health outcomes depend on multiple factors, including diet, lifestyle, socio-economic conditions, pre-existing diseases, immunity, and genetics—not just environmental factors.

Steps to Combat Air Pollution
The government outlined several initiatives to address pollution and raise public awareness:

• Specialized training modules for program managers, medical officers, nurses, ASHA workers, and traffic police.
• Educational material in English, Hindi, and regional languages to inform people about pollution-related illnesses.
• The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) has developed targeted resources for children, women, and working individuals to increase awareness and preventive action.

While concrete causal links are still under study, these efforts aim to mitigate health risks and equip citizens to deal with the adverse effects of air pollution.